Bessie W. Bullock

Bessie W. Bullock was an exceptional lady. She was born Aug. 26, 1908 in Baylor County, Texas, to Frances Christine Blume Worsham and William Henry Worsham.

Bessie went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Edwin E. Bullock; her mother, Fanny and her dad which she always referred to as “Papa.” Also leaving this earth for a heavenly home was her daughter, Elizabeth Jane Tracy and numerous brothers and sisters.

Bessie is survived by her son, Ed Bullock of Houston; daughter, Carolyn Bullock Dean of Temple; sister, Dorothy Ruth Putman of Vider; sister-in-laws, Galeatha Cobb Worsham of Ingram and Allie Dell Bullock Cawley of Waco; grandchildren, Henry Tracy and wife Janet, Michael Dale Bullock and wife Maria, Kathleen Roshong and husband Tim, Tim Tracy and wife Kathy, Melissa Bullock Fulks and husband Rick, Robin Bullock Steely and husband Mike, Nile James Dean and wife Misti, Tammy Dean Lewis and husband Jonathan, Edwin Lee Bullock and wife Margo, Tina Lea Dean Barrineau and husband Ricky, Katrina Tracy Siske and husband Blaine, Robert Weaver and wife Rachel and Richard Weaver. The legacy goes on with lots of great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bessie grew up in the Bryan College Station area in the Alexandria community. She attended local schools and graduated highest in her class at 16 years of age. She then met and married Edwin E. Bullock on July 13, 1925, and started her new life as a wife. She worked in the dean’s office at Texas A&M College while her husband was attending classes there. She was one of the first women allowed to audit classes in the all-male school. As they settled into married life together after about four years they had their first child, a son, Edwin E. Bullock Jr. Three years rolled along as they grew as a couple and then their beautiful, blue-eyed little girl, Elizabeth Jane, was born. After this time they felt the need to move to Houston so they could expand their vocations. Bessie and Edwin took up fields in the building trade. Bessie attended classes in interior design. She worked in this field for several years, but then Bessie had to take a time off. For, much to she and Edwin’s dismay after 23 years of marriage there came another girl, Frances Carolyn. This put the couple back into the diaper, daycare and P.T.A. routine, which lasted for another 17 years. In that time she went back to school again. While she was going to school and keeping her business going, she was president of the Houston Business Women’s Federation. She was a past mother advisor of the Rainbow Girls Chapter No. 109 in Houston and worked for Cook Paint and Varnish Co. in Houston for 17 years. Finally, in 1973, the couple started thinking about retiring.

Bessie and Edwin built a new home and life in Jacksonville. After working at Cook’s paint and running several of their stores for so many years, it was hard for Bessie to sit still. Many years earlier she had studied and obtained her certification as a vocational nurse. Although she had never used it, she decided to take a refresher course and go back to work, this time as a nurse. Miss Bessie worked at Newburn and Nan Travis hospitals and did private duty for numerous families with homebound family members.

Funeral services for Bessie W. Bullock will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at the Renfro Memorial Chapel at Boren-Conner Funeral Home in Jacksonville, at 11 a.m. with Bro. Vernon Lee officiating. Burial will follow at the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home. Members of the Jacksonville Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home in Jacksonville.
 

August 16, 2007

Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress